Batman comics help! Best books for New Readers, Current titles & Trades

[nepenthes]

If have found this thread via Google please visit a new and updated version here.

Hi, this is a thread for all questions, advice or opinions on Batman trade collections or monthly series'. If you've never read a Batman comic in your life; or if maybe you've read a few and are wondering where to go next; if you're interested in picking up the monthly comics (which are pretty cool right now) or just looking for general recommendations, begin here. And with that...




The best Batman trades for new readers...


^ this is them!

Year One / The Long Halloween / The Killing Joke
The Dark Knight Returns / Hush / Batman & Son



Pretty much every Batman fan here was introduced to the character through movies and TV. Then one day we picked up a comic book and fell into a deeper, richer, crazier Gotham City with a history stretching back to 1939. Interested? I think you are. But what the hell am I supposed to read first?

Fortunately there is a standard answer to this question, ask around and you'll see the same four or five comics invariably referred to as the classics, the bedrock of the lore, best primers on the continuity, or simply just essential reading when it comes to Batman on the page. The value of these particular comics to new readers is one thing we can pretty much all agree on ---> see the results of the Batman Beginner trades poll, or even the Further Reading section in the back of most Batman trade editions (actually I'll save you the trouble - the comics suggested in the back of DC's own trades are the exact same ones that came up top in the poll, which are displayed above ). Any questions about these books feel free to ask in the thread. Enjoy.


What do you mean by trades?
There are two basic formats for reading comics - singles and trades. Singles are the thin 24 page "floppies" published once a month - many fans prefer reading in this format simply because it's more exciting following a story in real time, anticipating the next events and waiting for a new issue.

Trades are a catch-all term for a variety of “thicker” formats, short for trade paperback and often confused with a Graphic Novel. A trade collects a sequence of single issues; for instance Batman 404-407, originally published in 1986 is now available in trade as Batman: Year One. A graphic novel is a self contained original story that was never released in singles, for example The Killing Joke was first published in 1988 as 46 page standalone “one-shot”.

Trades are perfect for discovering past story lines and classic lore, or for getting up to speed with current events.


If you're looking for...


Darker or more "mature" Batman stories, try
The Dark Knight Returns / Arkham Asylum: A Serious House / The Killing Joke / Joker / The Black Mirror

Batman Begins and The Dark Knight
Year One / The Long Halloween / The Killing Joke / Gotham Central: Unresolved Targets (featuring the Joker) / Gotham Central: Half a Life (featuring Two-Face) / Joker

Similar to The Animated Series
Mad Love / The Long Halloween / Batman & The Monster Men / Batman: Ego & Other Tails / Hush / Batman: Detective /

Older comics (Silver Age or Pre-Crisis)
Tales of the Demon / Strange Apparitions / Batman Illustrated by Neil Adams / Tales of the Batman by Gene Colan

The Grant Morrison Batman run, 2006 to current
Batman & Son / The Black Glove / Batman R.I.P. / Batman Reborn / Batman VS Robin / Time and the Batman / The Return of Bruce Wayne / Batman Must Die / Batman Incorporated


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[nepenthes]

The current monthly comics...



Beginning again with new #1’s

September 2011 saw DC Comics embark on a historic relaunch and renumbering of its entire core series’. This initiative, dubbed The New 52 aims to streamline over 70 years of continuity to help make the DC Universe fully accessible to both new and old readers alike.

In a lot of ways the DC relaunch is a 'back to basics' approach, emphasising what makes each character interesting and iconic without requiring the reader to know the often arcane and tangled plot lines of years gone by. It’s a fresh start - just look for any issue #1 and dive in.

Download here
A huge part in all this is DC's brave move to digital comics. You dont need to travel to your nearest book or comic shop - simultaneous release in digital and hard copy means it’s now almost too easy to follow all of these stories whenever you feel like it just by heading over to DC - The New 52 at Comixology. Take a minute to set up a billing account and you'll have the whole line at your fingertips in an easy-to-use and visually stunning format on your computer, tablet or phone.

Does this mean all the old Batman stories are thrown out?
Not exactly, in fact the Batman corner has pretty much been left intact. All the broad outlines are still there, barring a few changes that have been explained in-story (read on to find out more). Overall you can assume that unless an event from the past is explicitly contradicted, it all “still happened”.

How many titles do I have to read to follow the story?
Read only what you want; each series in the line-up is telling its own story and doing its own thing. They may occasionally namedrop or even guest star characters from other titles but that's only because they're all inhabiting a shared universe - part of the fun of comics.

Some handy links...
Complete Batman solicits from September to now at DC’s own blog. Browse covers, issue information and official synopsis for all upcoming titles
Gotham Spoilers Issue write-ups, reviews, news and previews by CBR member FHIZ


And the titles...


Batman is the main event you don’t want to miss. Heavy in action and intrigue and featuring a wide supporting cast of allies and villains, fan favorite writer Scott Snyder joins star artist Greg Capullo to tell a story of Bruce Wayne confronting ancient secrets of Gotham City. Already this run has the feel of a modern classic, told with sharp characterisation, impressive sequences and a solid take on the mythos that pulls together the best of the Nolan films, the video games and recent major story lines in comics.
Scott Snyder’s previous arc in Detective Comics, featuring Dick Grayson as Batman is collected November in Batman: The Black Mirror
Snyder: It’s not a reboot
W: Scott Snyder A: Greg Capullo



Justice League is the flag-bearer and lynchpin of the new DCU; a big, splashy and occasionally silly series that goes back to show the formation of the now legendary team - with Batman in a starring role. Set before rise of the “age of the superhero”, Batman once operated alone and in secret, known for many years only as an unconfirmed urban legend. Now he must counter god-level beings with extraordinary powers and personalities to match. By industry superstars and DC creative directors Jim Lee and Geoff Johns this series introduces Batman to Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman etc in their combatitive first encounters.
[I]W: Geoff Johns A: Jim Lee

Batwoman one of the most acclaimed books of the relaunch stars Kate Kane; Gotham socialite, punk rocker, elite soldier, lesbian and one of the most intriguing new characters of recent years. Dealing in myth, street crime, black ops and the supernatural this series features lush, immersive and frequently stunning painted art from artist and writer JH Williams. Important events from earlier story lines are recapped in issue #1 - you won’t need to read the eariler trade to jump on, but if you like what you find here it’s definitely recommended!
The origin of Kate Kane is collected Batwoman: Elegy by JH Williams and writer Greg Rucka
Williams and Blackman talk relaunch
W: JH Williams, Haden Blackman A: JH Williams

Batman and Robin partners the new father-and-son Dynamic Duo featuring fan favourite Damian Wayne as the current Boy Wonder. First introduced as a precocious and homicidal child assassin in 2006’s Batman & Son, Damian gradually discovered his nobler side with the help of Dick Grayson - the original Robin - when the unlikely pair were thrown together in the wake of Bruce Wayne’s apparent death. Now, working alongside his father for the very first time, Bruce and Damian realise the hardest part of the job might be putting up with each other! Heavy in action, dark humor and character driven conflict this series explores the emotional space between two characters who are more alike than either would be happy to admit.
Read the introduction of Damian Wayne in Batman & Son and his debut as Robin in Batman Reborn
Tomasi schools Batman & Robin
W: Peter Tomasi A: Patrick Gleason



Detective Comics features Batman in a horrific Texas Chainsaw inspired thriller with a grim and “back to basics” feel. Stripped of any usual supporting cast the series so far focuses on Bruce, Gordon, Joker and the creepy new villain Doll Maker. Writer and artist Tony Daniel is known for his detailed and energetic art, clunky dialogue and an enthusiastic, straightforward approach to shock laden storylines.
Tony Daniels most most popular recent work, featuring Dick Grayson as Batman is collected in Batman: Life after Death
Tony Daniel chats up relaunch
W: Tony Daniel A: Tony Daniel

Batwing one of the surprise hits of the relaunch features David Zavimbe as the first African Batman in a fictional city plagued by corruption, war and poverty in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a hardened officer in an overwhelmed police force Zavimbe is drafted into Bruce Wayne’s global network of crime-fighters - an organisation publicly known as Batman Incorporated. Featuring hyper-realistic painted art the series builds an intriguing world where superheroes and masked mass murderers are woven into the brutal landscape of DCU's Africa.
First introduced in the trade Batman Incorporated, Batwing appeared in only two very brief scenes before the debut of this eponymous series. Also, this (scroll down to the end).
Winick patrols Africa in Batwing
W: Judd Winick A: Ben Oliver

Catwoman revels in theft, chase, danger and sex. This is a fresh start approach that highlights Selina Kyle’s playful and thrill seeking side against the dark and violent world that she moves in. Along with its energetic and enthusiastic artwork this series attracted controversy for its unsubtle portrayal of Selena’s overt sexuality.
Winick prowls Gotham with Catwoman
W: Judd Winick A: Guillem March

[nepenthes]

Nightwing is a return to roots for Dick Grayson; child of the circus, original Boy Wonder and former Batman of Gotham City. From a young age Dick led a life of adventure, now as an adult his years of experience make him one of the most proficient crime fighters in the entire DCU. Most recently he was called to take up the heavy legacy of Batman after Bruce Wayne’s apparent death - now, returning to his own name and costume and a murder mystery in the old Haley Circus, Dick finds his time as the Dark Knight has left him stronger and with a greater sense of self.
Read the Dick Grayson Batman epic in Batman Reborn and The Black Mirror
Higgins: Dicks Bat-time makes for better Nightwing
W: Kyle Higgins A: Eddie Barrows

All Star Western features bounty hunter Jonah Hex in the DC Universe of the 1880’s. The first arc sees Hex reluctantly partner with eccentric psychiatrist Amadeus Arkham when a string of prostitutes are gruesomely murdered in boom town Gotham City. With dense narration and gritty, evocative artwork this story cleverly expands on established Gotham history as Hex and Arkham find themselves circled by The Religion of Crime, a perverse aristocrat conspiracy that will linger long in Gotham City.
Go back into in Gotham in Arkham Asylum, The Return of Bruce Wayne, The Gates of Gotham and Batwoman: Elegy.
Discover Jonah Hex in Jonah Hex: Origins in and further adventures in Bullets Don’t Lie
Hex riding in DCnU Gotham
W: Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti A: Moritat

Batgirl one of most anticipated and controversial moves of the relaunch saw Barbara Gordon regain the use of her legs and abandon her iconic role as the hacker and cyber ghost-in-the-machine “Oracle". Crippled by the Joker and confined to a wheelchair in the now classic 1988 storyline The Killing Joke, the character became beloved by many readers when Barbara found new purpose as an invaluable intel resource to the heroes of the DCU and leader of her own all-female network of operatives The Birds of Prey. While some see the new series as a regressive move that diminishes her character and the diversity of the DCU, others argue she is the most iconic incarnation of Batgirl and welcome her restoration as long overdue. The first arc of the series explores Barbara shaky return to the costumed life and will gradually reveal nature of her recovery.
The Price of restoring DC’s disabled heroine
Gail Simone: A conversation about Batgirl & Oracle
W: Gail Simone A: Adrian Syaf



Batman: The Dark Knight created as a showcase for artist David Finch this series presents a fairly straightforward action mystery involving a toxin that mutates the villains of Arkham Asylum and the legal ramifications of Bruce Wayne’s Batman Incorporated. It has no connection to the film.
Jenkins suits up with The Dark Knight
W: Paul Jenkins A: David Finch

Birds of Prey follows a rag tag covert ops team based out of Gotham City, written by former crime novelist Duane Swierczynski. Founder and career vigilante Dinah Lance, aka Black Canary, joined by Ev Crawford aka Starling have uncovered a plot that makes them the target of a mysterious chameleon-like strike team. The weird samurai Katana, mercenary Poison Ivy and a unknown fifth member are all due to join the series in the near future. The first issue established that original leader and founder Barbara Gordon has left the team for unknown reasons.
W: Duane Swierczynski A: Jesus Saiz

Red Hood and the Outlaws bands together three very damaged individuals: Jason Todd was the second Robin until murdered by the Joker and returned to life as the crazed and homicidal Red Hood; Roy Harper was sidekick to Green Arrow until rejected due to his heroin habit and becoming the soldier-of-fortune Arsenal; Kori is an alien princess who was taken prisoner and sex slave in an intergalactic war before joining the Teen Titans as the energy wielding Starfire. This series has been controversial for its portrayal of Starfire as an object of male fantasy fulfillment.
The Big Sexy problem with superheroines and 'Liberated Sexuality'
Lobdell looks Under the Hood
W: Scott Lobdell A: Ken Rocafort



The Huntress 5 ISSUES featuring Helena Bertinelli doing what she does best, taking down the Mafia. This time it’s a human traffic organisation in her home country of Italy with issues set in Naples and Pompeii. The mini will develop ties to Birds of Prey, of which Huntress was a traditionally a core member.
W: Paul Levitz A: Marcus To

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice 6 ISSUES novelist Gregg Hurwitz and rising star artist Szymon Kudranksi paint the dark past of one of Batman's most devious and under-estimated foes. This acclaimed series redefines Oswalds place in the rogues gallery, just in time for his gaming debut in Batman: Arkham City.
Gregg Hurwitz uncovers the Penguin
Gregg Hurwitz A: Szymon Kudranksi

Batman: Odyssey vol.II 7 ISSUES the bizarre adventure returns in its second volume. Illustrated by legendary Batman artist Neal Adams this series occurs in its own little timeline with a vague and quite often baffling sense of direction. Working with longtime writer/editor Denny O’Neil in the 1970’s, Adams helped redefine “the Dark Knight” for a new generation. In this series he completes art and scripting alone.
Deconstructing the Complete and Utter Insanity of Batman: Odyssey


And in December....



Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes! Grant Morrison’s six year multi-part epic resumes...

[nepenthes]

Catching up to Batman Incorporated and Batman: Leviathan


The story so far……

Bruce Wayne was mourned by his friends and allies when he fell in battle against the evil New God Darkseid. His legacy as Batman was taken up by the first Robin, Dick Grayson, with Bruce’s long lost son Damian Wayne as the obnoxious new Robin. Together they represented a strange and refreshing incarnation of the Dynamic Duo as they struggled in their new roles and unravelled the mysteries of Bruce’s dissapearance, all while defending Gotham City from a startling wave of bizarre new villains.

In the comics this is referred to as the era of Batman Reborn, and these events themselves are only the "second act" in a long-running saga begun by writer Grant Morrison in the pages of the Batman title back in 2006. To start at the *very* beginning, you will need to pick up Batman & Son and go from there...





Batman & Son / The Black Glove / Batman R.I.P. collecting the Batman title 2006 -2009
This run features the introduction of Damian Wayne; Doctor Hurt and the Black Glove: the Batmen-of-Many-Nations: the Batman of Zur En Arrh; Michael Lane (the new Azrael); a new incarnation of the Joker; and the figurative end of Bruce Wayne’s career as Batman. All of these elements return in the next chapters following in Batman & Robin.

Although the run is comprised of story arcs that can be read on their own, most of the significance of the over-arching story and the climax in Batman R.I.P will be lost without reading all three trades from beginning to end. A crossover that occurs in the middle of this run is The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul - it shares themes, characters and two issues by Grant Morrison, yet is generally considered a diversion to the main story and not as essential.





Batman Reborn / Batman VS Robin collecting the Batman & Robin title 2009 - 2010
The first volume of the Batman & Robin series is a good midway jump-on point that can be started fresh on its own without too much trouble (even if reading the earlier three collections is definitely ideal). These trades feature Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne adapting to their new roles as they face off against Professor Pyg, Jason Todd and the assassin Flamingo, a resurrected zombie Bruce Wayne, Talia Al Ghul and Deathstroke the Terminator, all while on the trail of the mysterious Domino Killer and the disappearance of Bruce Wayne - leading directly into the next chapter in...





Time and the Batman collecting the Batman title 2010
This trade collects the R.I.P Missing Chapter epilogue that recaps and expands events after the conclusion of R.I.P, the curse of Doctor Hurt, the JLA mission to confront Darkseid and Bruce’s subsequent “death" - an event that originally occurred in the pages of Grant Morrison's sprawling DC Universe event-epic Final Crisis (the scenes containing Batman in Final Crisis are very brief, and excerpted here in entirety). Also included in Time and the Batman is the landmark Batman 700 anniversary issue, telling an interconnected story of Batman in the past (Bruce Wayne), the present (Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne) and the future (Damian Wayne).

The Return of Bruce Wayne collecting miniseries The Return of Bruce Wayne 2010
Picking up after the disappearance of Batman in the pages of Time and the Batman, we now follow an amnesiac Bruce Wayne lost in time at various stages in Gotham City's past. In each era he must protect Gothams inhabitants while attempting to make sense of his strange surroundings and rediscover his former self.
The Return of Bruce Wayne eventually merges into the Batman & Robin series, in..

Batman Must Die! collecting the Batman & Robin series and Batman: The Return one-shot 2010
It all comes together in the last chapter as Dick and Damian face off against a returned Doctor Hurt and his 99 Fiends, a re-invented Joker, Proffessor Pyg and the drug crazed citizens of Gotham, before the arrival of Bruce Wayne throws everything in a completely unexpected direction, into the events of Batman: The Return and the new era of Batman Incorporated.




Batman Incorporated single issues 1-8 on sale now, collected in Volume One April 2012
Bruce Wayne has realized not only is he a changed man, but in the face of ultimate threat his fight against crime demands a whole new method. This chapter introduces Bruce’s new global defense network built to defend against a foreseen danger that only he knows. Starring Catwoman and Japan’s Mr. Unknown, Argentina’s El Guacho and the original Batwoman, Man-of-Bats and Red Raven of the Sioux Plains and Oracle as the guardian of Internet 3.0.
BATMAN INCORPORATED TPB VOLUME ONE IS AVAILABLE IN TRADE APRIL 2012. Issues 1-8 in single on sale now


And in December....

Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes! Giant size one-shot 2011
Grant Morrison’s six year epic resumes. Wrapping the events of Batman Incorporated 1-8, this issue serves as bridge to next years 12 issue finale Batman: Leviathan, beginning January 2012.
Schoolgirl assassins! Bat-robots! Nazi masterminds with Alzheimer’s! Guest stars galore! Batman and Spoiler face the School of Night while the Batman Incorporated team travels to a sinister Cold War bunker to face the mind-bending menace of Doctor Dedalus for the last time. The true identity of Leviathan is finally revealed - with shocking consequences for the Dark Knight!
Grant Morrison reveals final chapter of his Batman mega-story

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[nepenthes]

Complete list of Batman trades: reading order


batmantrades.com- almost all of the Batman tpbs in reading order, up to 2006
Batman TPB Reading Order - by CBR member Sending Signal. A more completeaimeex, cross-checked against the entire DCU.
Batman comics at Wikipedia- lots of in depth background on story arcs, characters, titles, publishing history
The Batman tpblist - with pretty pictures, issue numbers, reading order up to 2006
IGN's 25 Greatest Batman Graphic Novels - a little out-dated but interesting nonetheless



Do I need to read everything in order?

Not at all, although some people like to. The fact is that there is no concrete reading order - continuity shifts, overhauls and contradicts itself all the time. Refer to the links as a rough guide if you want, but don't feel that order is in any way necessary - alot of people would say it's more important to read the major books first in order to gain a good appreciation of Batman and the different types of stories he's in. Also alot of the fun is in putting together the various stories and eras as you go.
Just read whatever seems interesting to you and make your own way from there

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[nepenthes]

Batman trade timeline order; 2006 to current...
see links above for timeline order prior to 2006


2006 - One Year Later era begins
Batman: Face the Face - James Robinson (originally published in Detective Comics, Batman)
Batman: Detective - Paul Dini (Detective Comics)
Batman: Death and the City - Paul Dini (Detective Comics)
*Batman and Son - Grant Morrison (Batman)
The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul - Morrison, Dini, Nicieza, Milligan (Detective Comics, Batman, Nightwing, Robin)
Batman: Private Casebook - Paul Dini (Detective Comics)
*Baman: The Black Glove - Grant Morrison (Batman)
Batman: The Heart of Hush - Paul Dini (Detective Comics)
Batwoman vol.1: Elegy - Greg Rucka (Detective Comics)
*Batman R.I.P. - Grant Morrison (Batman)
(Final Crisis) - Grant Morrison not actually a Batman story but if you want to read it, it belongs here. These events also recapped in trade Time and the Batman. See posts below
Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? - Neil Gaiman (Detective Comics, Batman, Secret Origins, Black & White)
Battle for the Cowl / The BotC Companion - Tony Daniel, Fabien Nicieza / Various (BoTC 1-3, Gotham Gazette 1-2 / BotC one-shots)
Azrael: Death's Dark Knight - Fabian Nicieza (Azrael:DDK1-3, Tec & Batman Annuals 2009)

2009 - Batman Reborn era
*Batman & Robin vol.1: Batman Reborn - Grant Morrison
Red Robin vol.1: The Grail - Chris Yost
Streets of Gotham vol.1: Hush Money - Paul Dini
Gotham City Sirens vol.1: Union - Paul Dini
Azrael vol.1: Angel in the Dark - Fabien Nicieza
Batgirl vol.1: Batgirl Rising - Bryan Q. Miller
Batman: Life After Death - Tony Daniel
Batman: Arkham Reborn - David Hine (BotC one-shot, AA:Reborn 1-3, Detective Comics)
Red Robin vol.2: Collision - Chris Yost
Streets of Gotham vol.2: Leviathan - Paul Dini, Chris Yost, Mike Benson
Gotham City Sirens vol.2: Song of the Sirens - Paul Dini, Marc Andreyko, Guillem March
Batgirl vol.2: The Flood - Bryan Q. Miller
Red Robin vol.3: The Hit List - Fabien Nicieza (Red Robin 13-18) July 2011
Azrael vol.2: The Killer of Saints - Fabien Nicieza, David Hine (Azrael 10-18) Release TBA
*Batman & Robin vol.2: Batman VS Robin - Grant Morrison
*Batman: Time and The Batman - Grant Morrison (Batman 700-702)
*Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne - Grant Morrison
Bruce Wayne: The Road Home - Fabian Nicieza and various (Road Home one-shots) July 2011
*Batman & Robin vol.3: Batman Must Die - Grant Morrison (B&R 13-16, Batman: The Return)

2010 - Batman Incorporated era
*Batman Incorporated vol.1: World Tour - Grant Morrison (Batman Incorporated 1-6) December 2011
Streets of Gotham vol.3: House of Hush - Paul Dini (Streets 16-21) August 2011
Batman: Eye of the Beholder - Tony Daniel (Batman 704-707) October 2011
*Batman: The Black Mirror - Scott Snyder (Detective Comics 871-876) November 2011
Batman: Gates of Gotham - Scott Snyder & Kyle Higgins - February 2012


2011 - The New 52
Batman: Leviathan Strikes - Grant Morrison (giant-size one-shot) December 2012


Outside of main timeline, or set in the past
Joker is an original graphic novel that reinterprets the Gotham underworld in a seedy crime noir style similar in look and feel to The Dark Knight film. Not considered part of mainline continuity.
Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader is an allegorical "non-canon" Batman retrospective that ties thematically into the "death of Batman" and was released immediately after R.I.P. It can also be read at anytime and is not considered part of mainline continuity.
Dark Knight, Dark City first published in 1990 and set in the pre-Knightfall era of Bruce Wayne's career, this arc by Peter Milligan introduced the demon Barbatos and the dark cultists of Gotham Towne circa 1764, both of which feature heavily in Grant Morrisons Return of Bruce Wayne its related chapters in Batman & Robin. It is collected in a DC Presents issue available May 2011.
The Black Casebook is a collection of wacky stories originally published in the 50's & 60's that supposedly take place early in Batmans career and helped to influence many of the themes and ideas in Grant Morrisons run in Batman. It is a companion piece to the run, however not at all essential reading.


A finally...reading order can be ignored at any time! That said, it's probably not the best idea to read trades in an individual run or storyline out of place, for example Batman & Son> The Black Glove> R.I.P. should really go in order

.

[nepenthes]

The 50 Best Batman trades of All Time!
As voted by members of the CBR Batman forum. Results displayed from left to right...





Last count 03/09/2010 - Most recent voter: MillerFan



If you're looking for ideas on what to buy next then check out this ranking of our 50 Favourite Batman trades based on a poll of 26 forum members. Each poster submitted their twenty favourite stories with points given from twenty-to-one - consider this the collective opinion of many long time fans. Already read the first ten? Great, then have a look at the NEXT FORTY in the list maybe .

Keep in mind this ranking cannot account for different types of readers or sensibilities - it's simply a tally of recommendations given from a broad spectrum of fans intended as a basic guide. For example I can think of a number of great stories which are nowhere to be found on this list, and a few of the entries towards the top I’d personally disagree with. Once you've read a few of these you can form your own opinion, agree, disagree, talk about them on the board.

Any questions about these trades, or the poll, feel free to post in the thread.

Have fun!

[Tenacious_AA]

THIS is Freakn' Fantastic!!!!!

WHAT a GREAT accumulation!!

[ticklefist]

Batgirl is adventures of Stephanie Roberts

Steph Brown. Otherwise a great reference. Thanks a ton.

[sendingsignal]

Wow, check out that top 50 cover spread! Talk about visual overload. In a good way though :D

[superbuu250]

I think anything written by Grant Morrisson and Jeph Loeb is essential to catch up with the current situation in the Batman Comics, coz theyve made most of the changes in the DC universe (cmon Batmans got a son now!!!)....... To any beginners grab yourself a copy of any Bat-title written by Grant Morrisson and Jeph Loeb!!!

[Crazy Quilt]

Most excellent thread! I actually used the last one to get up to date with the Morrison comics so thank you. Took a break for a while there, now I'm back BABY like baby back ribs baby back RIBS

If you want to vote towards the poll you can leave a list of one-to-twenty in this thread, but please quickly check the guidelines in the original Poll Thread before doing so. [/FONT][/COLOR]

If I may....

1 Year One
2 The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told. vol 1
3 Strange Apparitions
4 Dark Knight Returns
5 Killing Joke
6 Illustrated by Neal Adams
7 Batman/Judge Dredd Files
8 Tales of the Demon
9 Blind Justice
10 Dark Knight Strikes Again
11 Batman & Robin
12 Batman & Son
12 Gene Colan vol.1 - no diggity!
13 Son of the Demon
14 Batman Predator
15 Knightfall
16 Brave & The Bold
17 Huntress Cry for Blood
18 The Widening Gyre
19 Life After Death
20 Many Deaths of the Batman

[andthegunslinger]

I've never been around for a new arc, when Batman Inc starts will they release a checklist of the tie ins and arcs?

[thwhtGuardian]

I've never been around for a new arc, when Batman Inc starts will they release a checklist of the tie ins and arcs?

They really only have tie ins for big events, like the Return of Bruce Wayne and The Road Home those both have lists of tie ins, But Batman Inc. starts after the event so presumably it'll just be another Batman title and move forward linearly.

[merlintocs]

Wow. I just bought my first-ever comics last night (Batman 700 and 703) and have been trying to figure out how to get caught up. Looks like I have a looot of reading to do!

Thanks from a true newbie for putting all this information together.